Patti has shown true grit as a caregiver and study partner with both her husband and her grandson participating in clinical trials. Recently, her husband Gary was diagnosed with AD and she joined a support group this year, raising awareness and sharing resources about AD since the diagnosis. As the main caregiver for her grandson who is living with Down Syndrome, the team at Barrow describes her as exemplifying and even setting a new standard in the caregiving realm.
In her spare time she is also a volunteer at GiGi’s Playhouse, an achievement center that has programs for children and adults with Down Syndrome along with family members caring for them. She also has been attending and helping with the Buddy Walk since 1999 in Portland and continued her support when she moved to Arizona.